title: Biofunctionalized nanofibrous membranes as super separators of protein and enzyme from water.
abstract: Here, we report development of a novel biofunctionalized nanofibrous membrane which, despite its macroporous structure, is able to separate even trace amounts (as low as 2mg/L) of biomolecules such as protein and enzyme from water with an optimum efficiency of ~90%. Such an extraordinary protein selectivity at this level of pollutant concentration for a nanofibrous membrane has never been reported. In the current study, poly(acrylonitrile-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (PANGMA) electrospun nanofibers are functionalized by a bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. This membrane is extraordinarily successful in removal of BSA protein and Candida antarctica Lipase B (Cal-B) enzyme from a water based solution. Despite a negligible non-specific adsorption of both BSA and Cal-B to the PANGMA nanofibrous membrane (8%), the separation efficiency of the biofunctionalized membrane for BSA and Cal-B reaches to 88% and 81%, respectively. The optimum separation efficiency at a trace amount of protein models is due to the water-induced conformational change of the biofunctional agent. The conformational change not only exposes more functional groups available to catch the biomolecules but also leads to swelling of the nanofibers thereby a higher steric hindrance for the solutes. Besides the optimum selectivity, the biofunctionalized membranes are highly wettable thereby highly water permeable.
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research, Geesthacht, Germany.
authors.forename: Shahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Homaeigohar
authors.forename: Tianhe
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Mady
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elbahri
mesh_terms: D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008049:Lipase / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D057139:Nanofibers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012996:Solutions; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008689:Methacrylates; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D012996:Solutions; C585725:poly(acrylonitrile-co-glycidyl methacrylate); D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D008049:Lipase; C431349:lipase B, Candida antarctica; C007870:glycidyl methacrylate
keywords: Biofunctionalization; Electrospinning; Nanofibrous membrane; Protein separation; Water filtration